35-tonne lorries forced into oncoming traffic on ‘impossible’ Paola bend

Huge container trucks are being forced to swing blindly into the middle of the road to navigate a sharp right-angle bend in Paola, leading to a string of “near misses, accidents and damage” to other vehicles, business leaders have warned.

The Chamber of SMEs says the situation has become so dangerous that heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are left with almost zero visibility as they attempt to manoeuvre around the corner.

The issue began in June 2024, when signs banning HGVs were installed at the entrance to three roads linking Corradino industrial estate with Corradino Road.

With those routes closed, container lorries heading to and from the busy Ras Ħanżir Cargo Quay have been forced to divert through Moll is-Shipwrights and Telgħa Raħal Ġdid, where they now face a challenging right-angle bend.

It has resulted in massive trailers veering onto the opposite side of the carriageway just to make the turn.

Dashcam footage shared with Times of Malta captures alarming scenes.

The clips show how cars are forced to stop as towering trucks swing into the middle of the road.

One video shows a truck having to abruptly slow down as the driver spots a car making its way around the corner. In another, filmed from inside a lorry cab, the vehicle edges so close to a brick wall that it appears just inches away from scraping against it as the trailer drags round the corner.

Signs like this have prevented heavy goods vehicles from using certain roads in the area. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The chamber says drivers of vehicles weighing more than 35 tonnes have raised repeated concerns about the “unrealistic” angle of the bend, and warned that stopping in wet weather is especially difficult.

The chamber described the situation as “very dangerous for truck drivers and the public”.

Our priority remains the safety of all road users. The signage introduced aims at mitigating the effect of heavy vehicles in residential streets- Transport Malta spokesperson

While one of the restricted road signs now appears to have vanished, with authorities declining to confirm whether it was removed intentionally, the diversion remains in place.

The police said four injurious accidents had been recorded in that section of road since June 2024. LESA, which records non-injurious accidents, said it had not recorded any during the same period.

Transport Malta said its priority “remains the safety of all road users. The signage introduced aims at mitigating the effect of heavy vehicles in residential streets, following concerns raised about safety, traffic impact and the quality of life for people in this area.”

The current road design. Graphic: Google Maps/James Cummings

The Chamber of SMEs proposal. Graphic: Google Maps/James Cummings

The Chamber of SMEs is demanding urgent changes.

It has suggested access to Corradino for eastbound traffic be facilitated by reopening the access road next to St Anthony of Padua church off Corradino Road – one entryway closed to HGVs in 2024 – and for westbound vehicles to use Triq il-Baċir, off Triq Għajn Dwieli.

Container vehicles leaving Corradino, meanwhile, could exit onto Corradino Road/Triq Għajn Dwieli roundabout by reopening Triq l-Isqof Buhagiar, which was also closed to HGVs in 2024, and is thought to be responsible for most of the diversions round the sharp bend.

The chamber would also like to see Triq l-Isqof Buhagiar turned into a one-way street, for exiting traffic only – a move they say could improve parking – and side barriers installed to improve safety for pedestrians.

It said the various proposals would “ensure that residents are still served, while increasing the safety in the area”.